LINCOLN —- Nebraska ran 80 plays last season at Texas Tech and held the football for more than two-thirds of the game against the Red Raiders.

Other than the final result, a 37-31 loss in overtime, the Huskers followed a pretty good plan in neutralizing a high-scoring offense.

“They tried to control the clock,'' Texas Tech linebacker Bront Bird said. “They wanted to keep our offense off the field. They did that a lot by trying to wind the play clock down and run the ball a lot, and do a lot of play-action.

“They were pretty successful at it. Any time you keep our offense off the field it's going to be a challenge.''

Texas Tech was limited to 48 snaps and nine possessions. Its offensive output was 421 total yards but NU affected the flow and rhythm for quarterback Graham Harrell, who threw a season-low 25 passes.

For that, Bird said, the Red Raider defense takes the blame — and will look to not let it happen again Saturday.

“Usually if somebody runs that many plays, it's because you're not able to get off the field on third down,'' Bird said. “If you don't get off on third downs, it makes it real difficult and you play a lot of plays.''

Nebraska ran for only 114 yards but was effective with a short passing game (37 of 45). The Huskers were 7 of 12 on third-down conversions, backing up what Bird said.

“I think that's the best way you do it against Texas Tech,'' NU center Jacob Hickman said. “I think that's why we had success last year was keeping their offense off the field. You've got to control the clock, you've got to run the ball on them.''

Texas Tech has been solid against the run this season, ranking fourth in the Big 12 at 107.2 yards allowed per game. The Red Raiders' problem has been with their pass defense, surrendering 242.5 yards per game and allowing opponents to complete a Big 12-high 63.5 percent of their passes.

If Nebraska wants to take advantage the same way as a year ago, however, it will need to be more efficient than it has been in some of its previous five games.

After ranking No. 2 nationally in time of possession a year ago (34:01 a game), the Huskers are at 29:43 so far in 2009. Only once — vs. Arkansas State — have they held the football longer than their opponent.

NU offensive coordinator Shawn Watson said it's not a matter of the Huskers doing anything different.

“We've got to execute,'' he said. “We executed at a very high level last year. But last year is last year. That's gone.

“We haven't changed. Remember last year at this time is when we moved to this aspect of offense that we're running. So we haven't changed since then. We tweak it up, obviously, but as far as philosophical we haven't changed.''

Texas Tech has mixed and matched with its defense this season, partly the result of some injuries. Adjustments have been made both on the Red Raider defensive line and secondary. Senior Richard Jones has started four games at tackle and two at end.

But Bird said that hasn't been a problem.

“We defensively have good depth,'' he said. “That's one thing this year we haven't had to worry about. If somebody gets nicked up it's not a big deal, because we've got a guy just as good to come in.

“It's just a unit that's going to do whatever it needs to do to be successful.''

Playing defense at Texas Tech is never easy because of coach Mike Leach's offensive philosophy, but Bird said the Red Raiders rally around defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill in good times and bad.

“I'll tell you what, when things are not going as well on offense it's not so much fun, because you're so fatigued,'' Bird said. “But whenever they score in four plays, you're so excited and there's so much energy, you kind of figure you're not so tired. It's an awesome thing to be part of.''

Contact the writer:

444-1042, rich.kaipust@owh.com

« Sports - Big Red Today

Share